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Retirees Returning To School
If you are coming back or going to school for the first time, you are not alone. Scores of retirees are returning to school and hitting the books. They have determined it’s never too late to learn.
While you may not feel you integrate with your 18 -year-old fellow students, it all adds to the educational experience. Many older students have returned, not to necessarily earn a college degree, but to educate themselves and keep their minds sharp.
Many schools are providing seniors discounted or free tuition because they have unfilled spaces in the classroom. So students don’t have to use their pensions in order to boost their knowledge. Also, older students can still go and partake in the class but they aren’t responsible for taking any tests.
Schools have come to realize that there are benefits in having a full class. In addition, seniors add different perspectives and diversity that contribute to an even greater educational experience.
For seniors that are interested in earning a college education, there are many options that can help you pay for it. There are even grants from your state that are exclusively for seniors. You can also verify your eligibility for a scholarship with USA funds.
Seniors also have the option to take online classes that allows them to stay inside of their home. They don’t have to worry about the winter season or getting to campus. They can be taught, turn in homework, and converse with teachers but they will miss out on the personal interaction they would have with students and teachers on campus.
If older students are nervous about returning to school after being out so long, many colleges offer remedial classes, tutoring, and school counseling which can help students with their transition back to school. Although you may feel awkward and puzzled at first, there are options out there that can help you. Lily Allen, 72 returned to the classroom after 50 years and earned a B.S. in Gerontology.
While education in the classroom is a great fit for some, study abroad fits others best. Many seniors over 55 can take an Elderhostel trip. While many may not get college credit for it, they are able to visit, learn, and understand the world.
If you aren’t quite that bold and wish to stay within the U.S. or your neighborhood, there are programs that can give you a cultural understanding, without leaving your comfort zone. These programs can last anytime from a day to several weeks, and the costs also differgreatly.
If seniors want to go back to the classroom, there are many options out there. That’s awesome that schools want to fill the classroom and will let older students return for free of charge or low-price tuition. It’s a great way for seniors to expand their knowledge and really understand and associate with another generation.
In my college experience, I had older students in my classes and I really enjoyed it because they brought up things that I never would have thought of. It made the class fresh and fascinating. They presented relevant facts, ideas, or even life experiences that I may not have known or even thought about. Older students really helped improve the classroom and I valued what they brought to the classroom.
Diane Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. She likes to write about the news, politics, college degrees, colleges online, and the college experience.
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